A massive wave of protests has ignited across Northern India as citizens, environmentalists, and political leaders unite against the Supreme Court’s new 100-metre definition for the Aravallis.
From the streets of Gurugram to the digital landscapes of Rajasthan, the #SaveAravalli movement is gaining momentum. Protesters argue that the ruling is a “death warrant” for the range, stripping protection from nearly 90% of the hills.
Demonstrations have seen thousands gathering to form human chains, while online petitions are surging, demanding that the government prioritize ecological continuity over arbitrary technical measurements.
Aravalli Protests
The resistance is uniquely diverse, bringing together grassroots activists and urban residents. In Delhi-NCR, groups like “Aravalli Bachao“ have organized silent marches, highlighting how “low-lying” hills, now legally vulnerable, are the only barrier against toxic dust storms.
Environmentalist Neelam Ahluwalia emphasized that “nature doesn’t work on a tape measure,” warning that removing protection from smaller ridges will shatter the entire ecosystem. These protests are not just about land; they are a fight for the very air and water security of millions of people living in the shadow of the range.
Ashok Gehlot Reacts
Opposition leaders have turned the ruling into a major political flashpoint. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot spearheaded the critique, stating that the 100-metre rule “rolls out a red carpet” for mining mafias. In protest, he changed his display picture to Save Aravalli.
He warned that de-classifying 91% of the hills in Rajasthan is a betrayal of the state’s environmental heritage. Similarly, opposition members in Haryana have accused the government of providing a “backdoor entry” for real estate developers.
They argue that by excluding smaller mounds, the state is effectively inviting the Thar Desert to swallow eastern Rajasthan and the NCR.
Supreme Court’s Verdict
The Supreme Court’s November 2025 order accepted the Ministry of Environment’s (MoEFCC) proposal to define an “Aravalli Hill” based on a 100-metre elevation threshold. While the court did impose a temporary moratorium on fresh mining leases, it established that only landforms meeting this height qualify as protected “hills.”
This “calibrated approach” aimed to provide administrative uniformity across four states. However, by focusing on height rather than geological function, the verdict has inadvertently created a massive legal loophole that leaves the majority of the ancient range outside the scope of conservation laws.
Aravalli Range
The Aravalli Range is a two-billion-year-old ecological marvel that serves as India’s primary defense against desertification. Stretching from Gujarat to Delhi, it acts as a “Green Wall,” intercepting sandstorms and regulating rainfall patterns.
These hills are the primary groundwater recharge zones for parched cities like Gurugram and Jaipur, funneling millions of litres of water into underground aquifers.
Beyond geography, they are biodiversity hotspots, providing critical corridors for leopards and endangered wildlife. Losing these hills means losing the natural infrastructure that makes North India habitable.
Severe Ecological Concerns
Environmentalists warn that the new definition will lead to an irreversible ecological collapse. As “unprotected” lower hills are razed for stone and sand, 12 existing breaches in the range will widen, allowing the Thar Desert to advance rapidly toward Delhi.
This will trigger a permanent water crisis, as the natural plumbing system of the hills is destroyed. Furthermore, the loss of these “green lungs” will worsen the NCR’s already lethal air pollution levels. The move risks turning fertile agricultural lands into dust bowls, sacrificing long-term climate survival for short-term industrial gain.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Aravalli protests reflect a deep-seated public anxiety over the commodification of nature. While technical definitions offer administrative ease, they cannot replace the complex, interconnected reality of an ecosystem.
We believe that a “hill” must be defined by its ecological role, its ability to stop a desert or recharge a well, not just its height. Protecting only the tallest peaks while allowing the base to be mined is a recipe for disaster.
